American Masters

Margaret Cho is an American stand-up comedian known for social and political critiques.

Director Brooke Pepion Swaney on working with Lily Gladstone before her rise to stardom.

Yale administration feared Buckley's outspoken criticism of the university.

William F. Buckley, Jr. ran for mayor of New York City under the Conservative Party.

Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works.

William F. Buckley, Jr. and his wife Patricia had a brazen, but loving relationship.

Singer Joan Baez was one of the peaceful protesters of the farmworkers’ movement.

Jim Cassell organized concerts as fundraisers for the farmworkers’ movement.

"We were making up, in a sense, First Amendment law as we went along," said Floyd Abrams.

Learn how the First Amendment protects independent spending by corporations in elections.

The New York Times sought the legal counsel after publishing the Pentagon Papers.

Edward Hopper joins Brian O'Doherty for a conversation about his process and inspirations.

Daniel Valdez created a bolero song from the poem "Brown-Eyed Children of the Sun."

Dan Abrams discusses how he admires his father for working on cases he may not agree with.

Civil rights activist Cesar Chavez expressed an interest in music from an early age.

Max Roach founded M'Boom, a jazz group made up of experimental percussionists.

Director Sam Pollard was captivated by the life story of drummer and activist Max Roach.

Max Roach was excited by the premise and promise of rap when it first hit the music scene.

Edward Hopper's career soared while his wife Jo Nivison's faltered.

Edward Hopper showed no interest in the growing diversity of America.

Edward and Jo Hopper lived an extremely frugal life.

Edward Hopper was raised in Nyack, where his creativity was fostered by his parents.

Daniel Patrick Moynihan's book transformed how ethnicity was viewed in America.

Against advice, Daniel Patrick Moynihan took a job as Richard Nixon's domestic advisor.

Edward Hopper displayed a preference for quieter social commentary with his art.

In 1965, Daniel Patrick Moynihan released the controversial "Moynihan Report."

Orozco quedó cautivado por el trabajo del artista mexicano José Guadalupe Posada.

Orozco pintó uno de los murales públicos más icónicos de México.

Las pinturas de Orozco fueron destruidas por agentes de aduana en los EE. UU.

Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Watch the first ten minutes of The Incomparable Mr. Buckley in this sneak preview.

Musician Tunde Adebimpe on his creative process behind his solo album debut.

Photographer Gioncarlo Valentine documents intimacy as a radical act of self-exploration.

This version contains extended audio description. Follow author Sarah Thankam Mathews as pressure mounts to follow up her highly acclaimed debut novel, "All This Could Be Different." Mathews excavates her past in India and Oman, contends with her present as a rising literary star, and imagines new futures

This version contains on-screen ASL interpretation. Follow author Sarah Thankam Mathews as pressure mounts to follow up her highly acclaimed debut novel, "All This Could Be Different." Mathews excavates her past in India and Oman, contends with her present as a rising literary star, and imagines new futures

Follow author Sarah Thankam Mathews as pressure mounts to follow up her highly acclaimed debut novel, "All This Could Be Different." Mathews excavates her past in India and Oman, contends with her present as a rising literary star, and imagines new futures of immigration, justice, and community.

Gladys Bentley was a musical sensation and gender identity pioneer.

She was an artist, activist, gay mother and mentor to hundreds of queer youth.

Jean Malin was one of the first openly gay performers in the Prohibition era.

Sarria was a legend of the San Francisco drag scene.

John Singleton came to Maya Angelou for guidance while working on "Poetic Justice."

DeafBlind people are creating a new language called Protactile, based solely on touch.

André Leon Talley recounts how Mae West used fashion and her sexuality to empower herself.

DeafBlind people are creating a new language called Protactile, based solely on touch.

Pépin came up with his recipe for shrimp-stuffed portobello mushrooms when he was working in Paris in the 1950s. "I remember doing escargot, or the snail in French, and instead of putting them in the shell, we used to put them into individual mushrooms. We also put them in

DeafBlind people are creating a new language called Protactile, based solely on touch.

For tuna tartare, Pépin recommends dicing the fish with a knife instead of using a food processor, which tends to make the fish mushy. He serves his tartare with onions, scallions and a garnish of bread and cucumbers.

"I always had crêpes as a child, and made them countless times for my daughter and granddaughter. There is nothing easier than making crêpes. I put a piece of butter to melt in a skillet, and by the time that butter is melted I have mixed enough milk, flour,

Cod is a flaky and affordable fish. Jacques Pépin serves his with a garnish of vegetables including mushrooms, scallions, radishes and olives, but it can be made with any leftover vegetables you may have.

Jacques Pépin's method for a simple baked salmon includes a sauce of ketchup, sesame oil, and hot sauce. He serves it with a side of caramelized endive.

On February 3, 2006, Martin Scorsese spoke with director Sam Pollard about the partnership between John Ford and John Wayne and how their films have impacted his career. Interview conducted for "American Masters — John Ford / John Wayne: The Filmmaker and the Legend" (2006).

The slow roasting of this dish makes for a tender and juicy pork. Pépin serves his with ratatouille, or stewed vegetables made up of zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes.

Pasta fagioli, or "pasta and beans," is a filling dish with pantry friendly ingredients. Pépin's version uses cannellini beans.

This versatile pasta recipe, adapted from Jacques' friend Ed Giobbi, can be tossed with a salad of any vegetables that are in season. Microwaving the veggies helps this dish come together quickly.

In the summer, Pépin likes to use fresh basil from his garden to make this pesto recipe. The basil puree can also be made ahead and frozen to enjoy in the colder months.

Another take on blueberries, lemon and mint from Jacques Pépin transforms the fruit into a simple and refreshing dessert.

Filmmaker Ciara Lacy documents Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, a Kanaka Maoli wahine poet, activist and academic, and her continued work towards justice for Hawaii’s native population.

James Earl Jones talks Sidney Poitier's impact on himself and other young Black actors.

Jacques Pépin shows us a simple but tasty Brussels sprouts recipe. He likes his Brussels sprouts sauteed and a little browned and crispy on the edges. "Crusty, very simple recipe and very delicious."

In this episode of "American Masters: At Home," Pépin teaches us how to make onion soup gratinée: "You can do an onion soup, just the onion sauteed with the chicken stock or beef stock, and serve it like this by itself, and that would be an onion

This version contains on-screen ASL interpretation and audio description. Kitty O’Neil (1946-2018) was a racecar driver, stunt legend, and daredevil. Known as “the fastest woman in the world,” O’Neil broke the land speed record in 1976, clocking an average of over 512 mph in a three-wheeled rocket car

On her 35th birthday, Joan Jett Blakk, the drag persona of actor Terence Smith, ran for president in lipstick, heels and eyeshadow, continuing a long tradition of drag as political activism. Blakk had also run for mayors of Chicago and San Francisco. During these “campaigns,” Blakk advocated for policies that

In this new digital series, New York's sweetest drag diva Peppermint tells the story of pioneering American drag artists. In the process, she demonstrates how drag is a performance art form that has thrived in this country for generations, entertaining LGBTQ+ and general audiences alike, and providing the

Jacques Pépin makes rice cakes using leftover rice with eggs on top.

Annie Smith Peck, one of the first women in America to become a college professor in the fields of Latin, elocution, and archaeology, took up mountain climbing in her forties. She gained international fame in 1895 when she first summited the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps -- not for her

This recipe for tomato toasts with olives is inspired by Pépin's time in Spain. "Many years ago, I was in Spain, in Barcelona, and I had those tomato toast ... which I love, so I have done my own variation of it."

Pépin shows us how to make one of his favorite dishes for the summer, a fresh corn purée. He demonstrates two ways of removing kernels from the cob, and simply sautes the purée with salt and pepper for a light and delicate dish.

Maia Cruz Palileo is a multi-disciplinary artist who explores themes of migration.

Filmmaker Jonas Mekas describes the burgeoning art scene of New York City in the 1960s.

Steve Martin discusses how David Geffen found Hollywood success through his friendships.

Rita Moreno reflects on the 1961 production of "West Side Story."

Fran Drescher talks about how she took inspiration from Lucille Ball for "The Nanny."

Drag performer and artist Lady Bunny talks about Mae West's influence.

Actor Treat Williams describes working with director Sidney Lumet on “Prince of the City.”

Engineer Chi-Tien Lui has restored most of Nam June Paik's video art over the years.

Neil Young speaks about David Geffen’s role as a performer in the art of the deal.

Ojibwe artist Jonathan Thunder explores the mythic inspirations of his surrealist work.

Artist Sydney G. James’ bold brush strokes address racial injustice in her native Detroit.

Caribbean-American D.J. Walshy Fire electrifies audiences with dancehall-inspired beats.

Artist Senghor Reid draws inspiration from current events and his hometown of Detroit.

Chef Ethan Lim creates vibrant dishes inspired by the rich, complex history of Cambodia.

A lyrical exploration of the life and work of Mexican-American poet Alejandro Jimenez.

Billy Crystal speaks on his admiration for and working relationship with Sammy Davis, Jr.

A Japanese American rapper discovers how art can champion cultural liberation.

Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works.

Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works.

Discover Augusta Savage's legacy as a Harlem Renaissance sculptor and art activist.

Native American actress Lily Gladstone reflects on her origins and acting in Hollywood.

Lou Gossett, Jr. discusses Dr. Maya Angelou’s role as a "matriarch."

Jerry Lewis talks about becoming a comedian and his friendship with Sammy Davis, Jr.

Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan.